The enormous herds of buffalo that Clark was witnessing along the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana the summer of 1806 was part of the annual migration of the buffalo on the northern plains south from their summer range to the winter range in the Great Plains.
The buffalo spread out into small groups on the summer range, much like cattle grazing in a pasture. When their food supply dwindles these small groups gather into larger herds and start their age-old trip. The farther they migrate the larger the herds grow until they are as big as those Clark saw.
Migration for the animals is not dependent on time of year but on supply of food. The prairies of eastern Montana receive little rainfall so the summer supply of food is short-lived. They must move on to where there is an adequate food supply for them.
A month later, after the Expedition was back together on the Missouri River and had made their way farther down the river, Clark again saw some of the same vast herds of buffalo grazing on the prairies of Kansas.
The buffalo spread out into small groups on the summer range, much like cattle grazing in a pasture. When their food supply dwindles these small groups gather into larger herds and start their age-old trip. The farther they migrate the larger the herds grow until they are as big as those Clark saw.
Migration for the animals is not dependent on time of year but on supply of food. The prairies of eastern Montana receive little rainfall so the summer supply of food is short-lived. They must move on to where there is an adequate food supply for them.
A month later, after the Expedition was back together on the Missouri River and had made their way farther down the river, Clark again saw some of the same vast herds of buffalo grazing on the prairies of Kansas.
RSS Feed
